Homes plan may kickstart New Ferry regeneration

11 June 2018

New Ferry has received a funding boost that could kickstart a new residential-led development as part of the wider regeneration plan put together after last year’s explosion.

Homes England has announced an initial investment of £100,000 to take forward part of the of the regeneration plan, which aims to provide new homes, car parking and environmental improvements in the Woodhead Street area of New Ferry.

The investment will allow experts commissioned by Homes England to carry out the work necessary over the next 12 months to turn the proposal into a viable, deliverable scheme, capable of securing planning approval and attracting investment from a development partner.

A New Ferry Residential Working Group will be established, consisting of represents from Wirral Council and Homes England, to oversee the progress of the work.

Duncan Inglis, NW Head of Accelerated Delivery at Homes England, added: “At Homes England we want to use our funding and expertise to help provide new homes. Our £100,000 investment will support Wirral Council in their ambitions to rebuild New Ferry by enabling them to prepare a planning application for new homes and promote this site to developers – a significant step towards rebuilding New Ferry town centre.”

Wirral Council leader, Cllr Phil Davies, added: “As far as it goes, this is a significant step forward towards what will be a long-term regeneration project in New Ferry, which we are fully committed to delivering.

“It is just one element of the regeneration delivery plan we initially submitted to the government, but it will provide a solid foundation from which we can take forward other parts of the plan.

“This development would bring new people to the area to provide custom to local shops and support other businesses in the New Ferry area. It will also make other sites in the area, including the two privately-owned sites which have had to be cleared completely after the explosion, more attractive to outside investment.

“Myself, the Metro mayor Steve Rotheram and the local MP Alison McGovern will continue to press hard for further support from central Government to help us deliver further aspects of the regeneration plan, but we welcome this initial investment and look forward to the work getting started.”